Slain Salia Sahi man planned to contest polls

Bhubaneswar, August 22: A day after a man was allegedly found murdered at the playground of Nayapalli High School here, his family members Wednesday claimed that political rivalry might be the reason behind the incident as the deceased was planning to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

The blood-stained body of Purna Chandra Nayak, 38, a resident of Salia Sahi here, was seized by Commissionerate Police from the playground Tuesday. He was staying at Rental Colony area of the city. He was making his living by working at his uncle’s fast food shop at a daily wage of Rs 200. Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahoo had stated that it was a case of homicide.

The wife of the deceased said Nayak was planning to contest the upcoming LS elections as an independent candidate and had printed some visiting cards for this purpose. He had the support of some of his friends, she stated, and alleged that someone from his peer circle or any political rival might have committed the crime.

Prashant, uncle of Nayak, also shared a similar opinion with the police and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

Nayak had also opened a school at Salia Sahi where some local students had been studying.

According to sources, locals spotted the body of Nayak in a pool of blood at the playground of the school. On being alerted, police reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem.

Prima facie, police investigations suggest that some miscreants killed Nayak by slitting his throat with a sharp weapon. Another mark was also found on his cheek.